Max Smith to run for Oneida mayor; common councilors all launch re-election campaigns

ONEIDA >> As a united collective, the members of the Oneida Common Council unanimously announced their intentions to seek reelection Tuesday.

Standing together in front of their usual perch, Acting Mayor Max Smith said "this assembly of notable and good people is standing for reelection."

Smith himself announced his intentions to seek the administration's top of post of mayor, a role he has been acting in since former mayor Don Hudson died in October.

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Continuing a what he called spirit of nonpartisanship inaugurated by Hudson, Smith pledged that members of the council will approach the November election with the same attitude they have since the beginning of their term.

Straying from party lines to work cohesively has "gotten lip service in the past" but has been more of a practice than just a theory with the latest class of councilors, Smith said. Hailing his counterparts as those who "represent the very best of Oneida," he asked that residents "rally around" them in support.

Smith will seek a seventh term on the council, this time as mayor. Following the same nonpartisan attitude, he said he'll seek endorsement from "everyone that will have me."

Ward 4 Councilwoman Helen Acker, who ran on an independent line her first go-around after Mike Kaiser vacated the position, will likely seek support from both Republicans and Democrats. Ward 5 Councilman Jim Chamberlain will do the same, expanding from his previous Democratic and Working Family endorsements to potentially Republican as well.

Ward 1 Councilman Brahim Zogby said he intends to ask the Republican and Conservative parties for their nominations. Ward 2 Councilman Dave Cimpi will also stick with the Republican and Independence parties and potentially the conservatives while Ward 6 Councilman Tom Simchik will ask for the Republican and Conservative nods.

Zogby, Chamberlain and Simchik will be seeking their second term in office while Cimpi goes for his third. This will be Acker's first full-term election.